Surveillance video shows boater after fatal collision that killed teen girl

Surveillance video allegedly shows Carlos Guillermo Alonso with his 42-foot Boston Whaler in Coral Gables after he unintentionally struck and killed Ella Riley Adler on Saturday off Key Biscayne.

[@Edelliriano71]

The old man doesn't look like he knew he'd hit someone.

[@mdoy5667]

Didn't see anything? Not an excuse.

[@seventhdayissabbath8747]

@@mdoy5667 No, it's not an excuse but an accident..

[@oldbloke204]

@@mdoy5667 If you can't see something you can't see it so what's your point? People who were towing people around in a heavy traffic area should be held more responsible imo.

[@oldbloke204]

@@bryanrackard9268 Not sure how he will be sued given the people on the wakeboards and the other boat operator put them in harm's way imo. If he was operating the boat according to the law where he was then how does his age really matter? Mind you it is the US so you're likely right.

[@tomnelson679]

@@bryanrackard9268So what was going on in the other boat with 13 people? Were they drinking, distracted, in an area that’s safe to pull water skiers? Did they drop off a girl in a high traffic area? Need a whole lot more information to make any kind of statement.

[@timchamberlin9280]

Accidents happen. Not everything is criminal.

[@MichaelGiordano777]

Tell that to the kid's parents.

[@JJ-kf4kc]

Until it is YOUR child

[@adammcclimans1666]

​@@MichaelGiordano777 sad yes, but not always a crime.

[@timchamberlin9280]

@@adammcclimans1666 Maybe skiers should have to wear 'safety orange' like hunters do. Hunters have to wear it, so they don't get shot by other hunters.

[@relaxation2380]

​@@timchamberlin9280 Tell that to Dick Cheney 😂

[@gdhaney136]

This was obviously a horrific accident, but if there is anyone to blame, it's the boater that didn't turn around to pick up the teen girl as soon as she fell. You don't leave someone bobbing in the water alone in an area boats have the right to speed in.

[@planetvegan7843]

Maximum driving age 65. Road and water. Oblivious seniors running amok.

[@user-sq5zg3ys5k]

@@planetvegan7843 F/O obviously young punk talking out your A$$!!

[@catarinaatpeace4907]

@@planetvegan7843 What an ignorant and ridiculous comment about a tragic accident. Just because people are seniors doesn't mean they aren't astute You can hand in your license when you turn 65. My Dad is 75 he's Brillant and he'd whoop your disrespectful butt. Regardless, rules on the water are the captain is responsible for their passenger's and the other Captain is responsible for his boat. This is a tragic accident; ageism isn't the answer. ( just because bidens brain is mush of I see you're a vegan.I was a vegan in the 80s) Everyone wants to place blame, and everyone is scared. What's important is celebrating the beautiful young girl and supporting her family. Everyone should be coming together and being loving and compassionate to everyone involved.

[@williambarrows7136]

@@planetvegan7843 Yeah, thats what we see every day. Its not the teens shutting down the beaches and boardwalks, its the seniors.

[@dabong420]

WAY TO OLD AND "I DIDNT KNW I HIT HER" NO SH!+ BECAUSE YOUR 80 YOU SELFISH BOOMER YOUR TIME IS OVER YOU SCREWED 3GENRATIONS WITH YOUR GREED AND NOW YOUR ENDING THEM BECAUSE YOU CAN JUST STOP BEING SELFISH AND THINK OF SOMEONE ELSE ONCE IN YOUR LIVES!!!!! THANK GOD YOU ALL HAVE AN EXPERATION DATE

[@arribaficationwineho32]

Now give us the story of the captain slinging girls into traffic lanes

[@JamminClemmons]

What’s interesting about (YOU PEOPLE) & the alcoholism claim is that just a few years before the potato famine, Ireland was the site of a massively successful temperance campaign led by a Catholic priest, Theobald Mathew. So successful was this campaign that between 1838 and 1841, national alcohol consumption was cut in half.

[@samsaasen4922]

@@JamminClemmonswhat

[@AC-cg6gz]

@@JamminClemmons INTERESTING

[@zachmanning4739]

You’re drunk

[@Justin22139]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@JamminClemmonsValid argument, but I’d contend that in spite of the common misconception, Christopher Columbus wasn't trying to prove Earth was round when he set sail in 1492. He was trying to prove that sailing due west was the quickest way to get to the Far East. Not only were his calculations incorrect, but had he not accidentally stumbled upon the Caribbean islands that he believed to be coastal India, he and his entire crew would’ve found nothing but endless ocean until they eventually starved to death. So, yeah. Try to counter that. I’ll eagerly await your reply. You’ll undoubtedly point out that identifying 10th century Russian, “Rurik of Rus” with “Rorik of Dorestad” was revived by the anti-Normanists Boris Rybakov and Anatoly H. Kirpichnikov in the mid-20th century, but we all know Alexander Nazarenko and other scholars have objected to that absurd notion.

[@mikesamir7751]

From an experienced boater: the poor girl’s head looked nothing more than a possible crab trap float in the chop if the boater would have even noticed it at all. Do not water sport in boating channels!

[@bryce340v8]

You can easily lose a small fishing boat or kayak in the water from the chop, reflections and sun if you aren't vigilant with your surroundings. Very easy to miss seeing a head bobbing out of the water.

[@ryshellso526]

Don't go wake boarding with idiots who don't know how to raise an orange flag when someone falls into the water. It's simple. You idiots have never been towed behind a boat and it shows.

[@lillylafont7026]

yes!!!!! Finally someone that makes sense!

[@Steve-ev6vx]

Just don't water ski. It's a stupid risk for zero reward.

[@anonymouse9833]

I grew up on the Columbia river (where people _do_ mix water sports and commercial shipping) and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen a lot of people in the water and sometimes only known because their boat had a flag up. It’s really scary.

[@sailcatthecat972]

15 teens on a boat pulling 2 wakeboards simultaneously. I'm sure safety was #1.

[@michaelashley2855]

NO ! We’re attacking old people - leave the irresponsible teens out of this

[@Pureblood712]

lol bruh is 78 operating a boat can barely see im sure

[@real100talk5]

@@Pureblood712 It is the fault of people who chose to water ski in that area and left people in the water.

[@jerrydutra3225]

Sure,he only went out for 30 minutes, then came back just like that.🤨🤔

[@real100talk5]

@@jerrydutra3225 like he does every morning for decades after retirement as seen by neighbors with weeks of it on his own camera. Yes

[@blue_moon6490]

It is disgusting what they are doing to this man. Yet they are doing and saying nothing about the operator of the tow boat. Shameful! They are grasping to put blame on someone for an honest accident.

[@franknbeanz8819]

There’s no way he knew he hit a child.

[@dens3096]

Did you notice not a word about the other captain of the boat the girl was. He failed all the rules and regulations! Why so quiet? Does the boat belong to a family friend? Who was operating it? Was he drunk?

[@douglasstone3813]

Right! Where is the news about the captain responsible for putting a 15 year old skier in the a busy water way with fast boats and then abandon her when she fell to keep the ride going for the other skier, that is not how you tow tandem skiers and who was spottting.

[@rickss69]

May have been another kid driving the tow boat for all we know.

[@jamesm568]

What rules were failed? Water sports are not restricted in that area as it is also common. It's a hot spot for boat and water sports.

[@markdegrange6445]

I would bet the other boat driver was inexperienced and drunk and why was he pulling a skier’s in a channel with other boats. Because he had no common sense

[@jamesm568]

@@markdegrange6445 I want to bet that the police already mentioned that alcohol was not involved with either party.

[@stunick1573]

The water was reported choppy, she was a head floating in the chop, one second maybe two of distraction and you never saw her. That boat ran over her and never even made a noise. At 20 plus miles an hour on a boat in chop with wind you can't hear a person next to you much less someone in the water. There wont be a dent, streak nothing to suggest that boat hit any thing. It's solid fiberglass and thick. He didn't know, it's was an accident. If you want to know who to blame look at whom ever was driving the boat with 13 people on board and two wake boarders in the water in a heavy boat traffic area. Black Diamond and boats like her run thru there at 180 miles an hour. Your head wouldn't even be noticed.

[@bettyvillegas8785]

Exactly

[@keithdickinson6045]

Not to mention the glare on the water can make spotting a person's head impossible at times. The tow boat "captain" is more at fault than the old man. I've been on the water for over 40 years of my 50+ years. The water doesn't suffer fools.

[@michaelashley2855]

Thanks for posting a sensible comment

[@nicoler3499]

This 💯

[@Hyperbole77]

All good points until the 180mph part. Jeez

[@AHEUTUBE]

The report is bias. It is so focused on the boat that allegedly killed the teen. How about the boat that brought the teen to the location where she got killed?

[@shortwidgets]

I live on a sailboat in Florida and it's chaotic on the water. If that poor poor girl was bobbing in a busy waterway I'm 100% he didn't see her. I can't imagine what her family is going through and I wish them peace.

[@hcwcars1]

It's the person that was towing those 2 kids who should be facing charges.

[@MrPhotodoc]

There is a reason you charge the operator of the boat involved in the death of someone. It's a death of someone.

[@Vifnis]

no

[@kerryedavis]

@@MrPhotodoc The person doing the towing was also "involved."

[@bewareofsasquatch]

How is it his fault? He was doing what everyone else was doing but the old man wasn’t paying attention. He was probably going to quick. It’s the old man. He probably didn’t know. He wasn’t paying attention

[@RussMarion-il2lx]

Were you there? Then S. T. F. U.

[@DTM45]

Where is the driver of boat pulling the skiers? Where???

[@naturelover2292]

Right! Nobody is talking about that

[@michaelashley2855]

Yes - where - where ?

[@tohopes]

maybe his parents are wealthy.

[@diffened]

@@michaelashley2855 Because people talk about the person who did the hitting. It has always been this way. If they find negligence on the part of the tow captain then they will release it.

[@cliffordcullen1687]

Or politically connected 🤔

[@j.daniel6516]

Leave the old man alone and let the investigation continue. Sometimes tragedies are simply accidents.

[@tula1433]

There is no way you’d see a bobbing head in choppy waves. Complete accident. Clearly he didn’t come home panicked and clean his boat.

[@nameless-og]

Yeah, him being old had nothing to do with it either, it's just not a good position to be in... regardless of who was driving that boat that hit her... the one that was towing pulling her, however....

[@invasivecoyote1361]

Smart move on the lawyer part, the court of public opinion is strong.

[@sodlaflare]

yeah people see a video of him parking his boat and pretend he didn't kill someone minutes before

[@stevemcgowen]

It’s Florida and he’s Hispanic. He’s already received threats.

[@floridaroadways]

@@stevemcgowenhe’s not Cuban. You don’t know if he’s Hispanic

[@stevemcgowen]

@@floridaroadways You must have missed his name...

[@floridaroadways]

@@stevemcgowen no I didn’t miss his name, but you have just because they mentioned his name doesn’t necessarily mean he’s Hispanic. He could be German who knows so don’t assume he Hispanic unless they say he or why don’t you go ask him

[@AC-cg6gz]

POOR OLD MAN! Sounds like the girl and her friends were in the wrong place and got this girl killed and now they want to blame their negligence on this poor old man FOR AN ACCIDENT THEY COULD HAVE AVOIDED

[@bewareofsasquatch]

Poor old man? I like how you want to blame them because you’re too weak for an old man. Yeah it was an accident but he was the operating the boat and wasn’t paying attention.

[@user-gn6xu4jl1u]

Poor old man? He is 78, she was 15. She got cheated. And the lawyer, he didn't have a clue he hit someone???? So he should get a pass?

[@realunknown_1753]

His license should be revoked since he can't pay attention and he's 100% at fault regardless of if she was in the wrong place wrong time he should have been paying attention on that water I still think he should serve some time and maybe be light on him to have probation but definitely shouldn't get off free after killing someone from his own negligence or ability to not see correctly he should have not been driving a boat let alone a vehicle period

[@LOLxDamon]

The old man is innocent

[@RussMarion-il2lx]

Were you there? Then S. T. F. U.

[@user-sf1dq2iv4j]

I firmly believe this man had absolutely no clue he had hit her, further more why was a 15 year old out there and why isn’t the person who was TOWING her in the water facing no charges

[@CygnusFour]

As a boater myself I can say his side of things is completely plausible. No one has come forward and said he was operating in an unsafe manner - there are "rules of the road" out on the water; those rules apply to everyone. Unfortunately those kids were not operating in a safe or conscientious manner. Wake surfing is dangerous as it requires speed and access to the wake of other boats which means, yes you guessed it folks, you need to play in traffic. We can feel for this girl and we should but that day her life was in her hands and the operator of 'her' boat. Kids will be kids and screw up; they're invincible.

[@bbrcummins1984]

Leave this man alone. The ski boat driver is at fault.

[@juliosuave8028]

exactly!

[@user-td3yv6wb7y]

Ski boat driver didnt mow her over some drunk rich cuban did

[@CommonSense1313]

THANK YOU!!!

[@tomr3422]

florida culture - for criminals by criminals- no one is innocent - a child killer - what is he running for congress? florida loves the child killers and pedos

[@robertkington2084]

You don't know any facts about the accident and yet you already determined fault. Do you really think it is not possible that this 100 year old guy didn't see the flag or are you just a smooth brained individual?

[@johnharper2016]

I believe the Man and his Lawyer. The man is calmly docking his boat. The person operating the boat towing the wake boarders needs to be questioned.

[@deliveryguyrx]

I'd do a BAC test as well.

[@cruisinguy6024]

Obviously the other captain and passengers were questioned.

[@SamWesting]

Old man may not be criminally prosecuted, but he’s almost certain to face a civil lawsuit. Say “bye bye” to your boat.

[@ihaveinsomnia1]

It's sad the young girl died. My condolences to her family.

[@Jenvlogs404]

Imagine how many endangered manatees are run over in FL

[@markdegrange6445]

This is why you don’t water ski in areas where boats are traveling 😢Find a quiet area where there are no boats

[@bbrcummins1984]

Exactly 💯 percent, the tow boat captain is at fault here

[@michaelashley2855]

Also - waterski (or wake board) with adult supervision and by all means don’t drink alcohol

[@rulerofomicronpersei8]

I say the same thing about bicyclists mixing in with 2 ton vehicles on the road, bikes have no business being there. But here we are.

[@dycedargselderbrother5353]

@@rulerofomicronpersei8 I like in an area with bike baths and they still ride side-by-side on the arterials.

[@ronsmith7262]

I’m no boating expert but I have water ski before and I know it take 3 people. One to ski one to drive and the last to watch the skiers. When the rider fell the spotter should have told the driver and turned around to get her. This seems like she was just left out in the middle of the ocean with 0 protection so the real person is the ones who where towing her

[@helenphillips7709]

Amen!

[@ryshellso526]

Yup, you need someone that's sober that will raise a flag to warn other boats of a person in the water.

[@Elena-fe3os]

Somewhere was said they were in the water, waiting to be picked up.

[@ronsmith7262]

@@Elena-fe3os I’m sure but it should be immediately not wait till she was hit. But I’m thinking it’s probably a insurance scam gone wrong

[@davidbrooks1724]

spot on. when i towed. we always had two spotters and stayed clear of any and all traffic.

[@ThePeopleVerse]

Sometimes an accident, no matter how horrible, is just an accident. I feel for both parties. 😢

[@SamanthaAbbruzzese]

This was obviously a very sad accident and shame on those who are out there being hateful. These 2 families are brought together through this tragic event, and hearts are broken on both sides. Show love and support to both families.

[@thebigmon]

They were playing in the main traffic area because they wanted to ride the wakes the passing boats made. Absolutely dumb. What this girls was doing is akin to skateboarding on the freeway.

[@SuperJlonergan]

youre talking shxt dude...first of all they were wakeboarding, you dont want other boats around you want your own steady predictable wake , they were in an area where it is normally done apparently but there are not real cordoned off areas just for that so yes there will be other traffic around especially on a nice day in fla, what you can speculate pretty safely from the only real info they are letting out about the towing boat is that there were two being pulled at same time and usually one falls before the other, with other boats anywhere in the picture its a big NONO to leave the fallen and get too far away with the other towed person no protecting the fallen, ive been skiing wb and kneeboarding for alm 40 years someone falls you get back to them and almost coral them so no boats can hit them, you got horrible boaters out there in general imagine how bad some people are with safety in how you should tow skiiers etc!!! i feel for this old guy, from what i see he doesnt seem to know he hit anyone and in fla areas can be choppy with sun reflections etc...

[@thebigmon]

@@SuperJlonergan You have no idea what they were up to unless you were there with them. Right?

[@rulerofomicronpersei8]

@@SuperJlonerganin my state, boaters are supposed to have a spotter facing and watching the skier in the water at all times. And when the skier falls, the spotter is supposed to immediately tell the driver and raise an orange flag as the driver of the boat circles around back to the skier. It’s state law, and I constantly see harbor patrol ticketing people for not adhering to it. It’s a 500$ fine! And quite frequently, that usually leads to a dui arrest. Some people are just stupid, it’s astonishing.

[@NegativeROG]

Very true.

[@bluemoon2675]

The driver of the boat towing the skier is responsible for skiers safety. Where is he or she? Was there a spotter, flags, etc.? Tell the complete story please.

[@robertthomas1569]

was there a sobriety test

[@befmx31]

Never any mention of the captain of the boat that was pulling the girl. Why is that?

[@patchofdust]

Since we see nothing else, we can safely assume the story is being hidden.

[@jonathanscott550]

Unfortunate the 15 year old girl was killed. However these people wake board/ water skiing ect in a busy waterway meant for boat's going to and from not personal water recreational enjoyments. This elderly gentleman shouldn't be charged for the negligence of someone else STUPIDITY.

[@DarkmanRides]

He wasn't paying attention he's so clueless he didn't even know he hit anybody. The typical ski rope is 70 ft you don't get that close to another boat. He's too damn old to be driving the boat it was an accident but he still responsible.

[@jonathanscott550]

@DarkmanRides no he is not . The person operating ski tow boat is responsible, or the lookout on the ski boat

[@DarkmanRides]

@@jonathanscott550 get it through your thick skull there's dual culpability. And it predominantly falls on the old man that ran over her. Now what I would really like to find out is if he had the skier in skier out flags on his boat. How does a boater protect a skier in the water from other boaters explain that one to me.

[@jonathanscott550]

@DarkmanRides well again it's the ski boats' responsibility. I looked the law up. So it's you with the thick skull

[@DarkmanRides]

@@jonathanscott550 I can assure you it's not that cut and dry.

[@boblove6865]

Why would any captain think that is a good place to ski. He’s responsible.

[@swerne01]

His lawyer misspoke. She said," If Bill hit anything... he would have stopped". She meant," If Bill knew he hit anything" etc. I agree with her that Mr. Alonso does not appear to know that anything unusual happened. The skipper of the boat towing Ms. Adler is guilty of not flying the flag that Florida law requires when you tow a skier.

[@philbertov823]

This seems like a legitimate accident.

[@walterrose854]

The fault is completely on the skier and the driver of the tow boat, should have never been boarding in that area

[@donniedarko444]

You can't see heads in the water!! Not the man's fault!!!

[@BG-qx2st]

They said a boat that looks like his so they don’t even know if he was actually the one to hit her

[@michaelashley2855]

This is how they used to form lynch mobs

[@trumpwins2024]

He does not belong driving anything. No excuse. You have a responsibility to see where and what is ahead of you.

[@mattsmith817]

This is just a horrible accident.

[@charlesc.6767]

AFTER NEWS CLIPS OF THAT CROWDED AREA I THINK HER BOAT CAPTAIN SHOULD BE CHARGED IF ANYONE.

[@NegativeROG]

Why all caps? It's really rude. You'll notice you are the only one typing in all caps. Everyone else has manners.

[@FAA-DPE]

Media won't mention she was intoxicated along with the other's on their almost 50' "ski boat" This is what being rich and drinking get you.

[@malachi-]

Reference?

[@SlushboxH8R]

@@MrMegacurie Really? Without a reference it sounds like victim blaming to me.

[@barrieracc7634]

@@SlushboxH8R victim of: Bad parents, bad choices, bad "friends"

[@MrMegacurie]

@@SlushboxH8R that's the great thing about opinions. Everyone can have one

[@larrykent196]

Where I live you can only tow one skier, with a minimum 14 year old observer and a licensed sober driver. However it is, a sad day, seemingly a needless accident. Condolences for the family, for every life is precious.

[@victordasilva5255]

He didn’t see her. Stop it.

[@alanaldpal950]

Either way it was an accident and from the little FACTUAL information available, I would give him the benefit of doubt that he did not know he hit a downed skier. I am a little more suspect of the wisdom of the boat operator that was towing the girl….. again not enough info for me slam either party, but of course the lack of definitive info will not stop most comments from being prematurely, hyper judgemental

[@dannysgirl1549]

Exactly…and that’s what investigations are for.

[@kellyammirati3259]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 he killed her no matter what you say & if it was Accident. Both parties at fault. 🤡

[@femalewarrior125]

@@kellyammirati3259maybe no one is at fault! There’s something called an unfortunate ACCIDENT! Why do people like to be judgmental all the time! How about allowing the investigation conclude before making allegations of guilt ?

[@cannonfodder4812]

Right! Information such as where exactly where they skiing, was it in a marked channel? How long had she been in the water after falling? Was there a flag person on her towing boat? Wake boarders have a tendency to get too close to other vessels and ride in high traffic areas, hence the wake in wake board. Seeing someone in choppy water isnt the easiest thing in the world and hitting someone would likely sound about the same as hitting a wave, especially in a large boat such as his. This is horrible for everyone involved. It sounds like an unfortunate accident.

[@doxoxo779]

They’re both at fault. Accident or not. Old man doesn’t look like he should be driving a boat or car

[@707_luis]

Innocent, please investigate driver of other boat

[@rea8755]

Exactly not one word has been said about the other driver 13 kids on board? I questioned why the other boat wasn't seized or maybe it was seized and we don't know but channel 10 definitely said at least five times 78 year old 78 year old 78 year old we're tired of it We've been watching Donnie rapture on KZbin and let's just say parents don't 😢 give the boat keys to your children 😢. Now channel 10 how old was the other driver in the boat that had 13 people on it

[@Mr_Negrodamus]

​@@rea8755 👏👏👏

[@naturelover2292]

@@rea8755Facts! Crickets

[@tomr3422]

its florida for criminals by criminals- what isd grandpa running for congress- florida loves the pedos and child killers

[@1notgilty]

A senior citizen was driving a HUGE boat and didn't know he hit someone being "towed" in the water. That comes as no surprise to anybody who has ever driven a car or boat around the elderly. Sounds like a tragic accident that the boat driver didn't know happened.

[@getchasome6230]

Thats so sad for both families involved. I hope they get everything figured out

[@Icepressa]

to be quite frank, it could not even be this guy, the amount of boats out there, he could be not even the one that hit her!

[@michaelashley2855]

You’re taking the fun out of all the senseless commenting

[@michaelsaville9697]

Who was driving tow boat? Was alcohol involved ? I'm so sorry for her parents so sad. Everyone on that boat will be forever changed.

[@pinkvelvet3865]

Correct! There is no video that shows it's his boat!

[@Thiago_TT_MIA]

Parents do a better job. Educate your children about water safety

[@fashiondiva6972]

You want parents to educate their kids about water safety? That’s your takeaway here? How about old assholes with failing vision and reduced reflex and response time need to know better than to pilot a powerful speed boat capable of going 70mph. There’s the appropriate education, teach the elderly and impaired to stay away from boats when they can’t safely operate them. There, I fixed that “advice” for you, but thanks anyway for the dead child victim shaming, it’s both classy and helpful. And It doesn’t at all miss the giant elephant in the room🤦🏾‍♀️🙄

[@DudeDudeDudeDudeDude]

Rich boomers do a better job, don't run people over.

[@user-fc3tv4kt7u]

You sound ignorant & disgusting 🤮 karma!!

[@JJ-kf4kc]

Hey, What kind of a flippy comet was that? You Don't know the details at all so can it

[@user-fc3tv4kt7u]

How dare you judge or criticize this isn’t the parents fault ! This is a tragic incident !! How about rules of elderly driving boats killing innocent people ! Well the only way people like you learn is when it happens to you !!

[@edomite]

Anyone saying this man was at fault and not "paying attention" have never opperated a boat let alone in choppy waters.

[@BJ-kn2te]

Been saying he had no clue from the start. It’s a tragedy for all involved.

[@mariusfacktor3597]

He was still negligently boating too fast in an area with many other vessels where some of them were doing water sports. That's criminal negligence. Not being able to see is not an excuse. It's always the boat drivers responsibility to not hit things or people with their boat.

[@michaelashley2855]

@@mariusfacktor3597how do you know any of this ?

[@mariusfacktor3597]

@@michaelashley2855 It's what you learn when you get your boating license. It's your responsibility as the driver to not hit things or people with your boat.

[@michaelashley2855]

@@mariusfacktor3597how can you possibly know how fast he was going - or even if he hit the girl for that matter ?

[@mariusfacktor3597]

@@michaelashley2855 I didn't know he hit the girl, authorities say he hit the girl.

[@jamesm568]

Tragic accident and nothing more. Nothing criminal at the moment.

[@cynthiamartin2197]

He had the boat out for 30 minutes; a lot of the elderly in my neighborhood take thier boat out to lubricate eveything ~ waiting on family/friends to visit for a ride. I drive my RV a couple miles each week for the same reason.

[@jamesm568]

@@cynthiamartin2197 You can take your boat out at any time you want to and drive it as long as you want as it's used just like a car in Florida.

[@HuplesCat]

His engines are beyond powerful and he can barely move.

[@mark.m2163]

13 teens wakeboarding on a boat , it’s herding cats , you can’t blame the 78 year old for this accident

[@caroltenge5147]

Leave the old man alone. News will perpetuate anything for ratings….

[@powerpointpaladin6911]

ikr. AT MOST, he is guilty of simple negligence for failing to operate a boat safely. There is NO evidence he showed a "reckless disregard" in operating his boat. Boaters know its difficult to see objects in the water on a choppy sea, everyone else seems to assume he ran her down for fun.

[@MontyRoyal963]

Someone is DEAD. Imagine if that was your sister, mother, daughter... You'd want the person to be held accountable for her death. If anything this is a perfect example of humans biting off more than they can chew. they buy big powerful tools that they don't have the skills to wield properly.

[@powerpointpaladin6911]

@@MontyRoyal963 then why is the tow boat captain being ignored?

[@DXT61]

@@MontyRoyal963 Now imagine your sister, mother, daughter behind the controls of a big boat who hits an object in choppy water in an area that is high boat traffic and didn't know it. It's a tragedy but not criminal.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@MontyRoyal963not the fault of the single boat captain.

[@lauriemcdarby5368]

I truly feel sorry for this gentleman….I am sure he is devastated by what has happened and will change his life forever. So sad.

[@fieldwalker]

Bill is a criminally negligent power boater. Driving a 40 foot boat and not meticulously watching where you are going in a busy area with other water users is negligent.

[@richvail7551]

So many lives affected over an accident. Life can be so cruel sometimes and it makes no sense.

[@NunYa953]

Why won't anyone answer if the ski boat had a flag?

[@naturelover2292]

They want answer anything about that boat and who was driving it.

[@michaelashley2855]

The absence of a flag would help exonerate the old rich man - we don’t want that

[@SpliffMeister3000]

Even if theres a flag you don't put people in a busy high traffic boating lane. And certainly.dont tow on 40 ft boat with nearly 20 people on board... wreck less.

[@floridagirl386]

They didn’t have a flag

[@NunYa953]

@@floridagirl386 Well, there you go. Case closed. Give the man his boat back, charge the skiing boat with the crime, and give the old man an apology.

[@valeriew6052]

Blame the boater towing the girls in unsafe waters and the parents for allowing them to go. Leave the old man alone

[@diffened]

I see most of the commenters here want to have the right kill other people with no consequence. "Aaaaw, let the poor man alone. I do stupid things all the time and I really don't want to be blamed for any of it."

[@tiggersdad6878]

if Florida officials are NOT looking at the operator of the other boat, they would be negligent in doing so.

[@BOTzerker]

A childhood friend who grew up to became a police officer was killed twenty years ago when he somehow collided with a boat while jet skiing at Lake Havasu, Arizona. The boat owner stopped and brought the body to the dock. Local police ruled it an accident. Taken in his twenties; lost a good and honest person.

[@tholmes8474]

2 ppl sking behind a boat? Both go down in separate locations he probably spotted one but not the other chop in the water he didnt feel or hear a thing 3 outboard.motors..ya this guy doesnt look like he was running from a scene way to casual and calm. why bring the boat back and park it at your house?

[@robertthomas1569]

his body language seems to support his defense

[@lextacy2008]

The tow boat needs to be jailed NOW

[@stunick1573]

Slow the roll, you are innocent until proven guilty in America, well most of the time.

[@anglophils645]

Probably a minor. The parents who let young teens out in the wrong type of boat for pulling skiers, should be jailed.

[@dr.kennethnoisewater26]

A 3 minute video showed you half the story (a news stations version) and you’re yelling jail them NOW? Slow down

[@michaelashley2855]

@@dr.kennethnoisewater26not them - the boat - the boat needs to be jailed

[@drunkentrain]

@@michaelashley2855 Totally, everyone is completely oblivious to the complicity of the boat.

[@rightsdontcomewithpermits7073]

Like i said from the beginning, he is not guilty of a crime. What those teenagers did, is "played on the highway".

[@astelliadreamz]

Why are they blaming this old man? They should be blaming the teens who left that poor girl in the water. If she was picked up, she would still be here today.

[@johnblaze5252]

Horrible tragic accident. Prayers for all involved on every level. 🙏

[@vg23air]

we still dont know if it was his boat that hit her

[@michaelashley2855]

Without proof - the case is closed already

[@yoeltruffin5959]

Doesn't mater what is the boat, nobody on a boat will notice that an accident occurred. The area of the accident should not be recreational.

[@1notgilty]

A senior citizen was driving a HUGE boat and didn't know he hit someone being "towed" in the water. That comes as no surprise to anybody who has ever driven a car or boat around the elderly. Sounds like a tragic accident that the boat driver didn't know happened. Florida is known as: "God's waiting room."

[@jcabram9002]

Hitting a person with a boat that size is like running over a worm in a car. How can you notice it? Poor girl was having fun with wrong, inexperienced and irresponsible people. RIP

[@TastyFartz69]

Well said sir

[@rickss69]

May as well shown a video of me with my jet ski. They have no clue if his boat was even the one involved.

[@PowerstrokeSynd]

Charge the towboat captain for negligence.

[@canufi6my]

The tow boat was clearly at fault.

[@anthonyziemba9477]

It will never change or stop anyone else getting killed by boaters staying away from high boat traffic areas. Those young girls have. responsibilities too. When you look and watch how this played out something bad will happen.

[@user-ir6dw2vi2j]

The video supports his accounting. He wasn't drinking, and he didn't know he hit anything. If he was trying to hide anything he would have looked over his boat for visible damage or taken it out of the water to hide it away somewhere.

[@mariusfacktor3597]

That doesn't excuse hitting someone. Not being able to see is not an excuse. If there is a chance people are doing water sports around you, then you slow down. It's always the boat driver's responsibility to not hit things or people with their boat. This was still criminal negligence.

[@almerino3497]

@@mariusfacktor3597wrong you can’t even prove it was his boat that hit her try again next time idiot

[@Monica_Escobar]

@@mariusfacktor3597have you ever been on a large boat or even more, driven a large boat in choppy waters? A tiny head bobbling amongst the choppy waves is nearly impossible to see for anybody… criminal negligence isn’t even in question. Accidents do happen, not everything is criminal when a death is involved.

[@mariusfacktor3597]

@@Monica_Escobar If it was in open ocean, then I'd agree with you fully. But as others have pointed out, this was a high traffic area. It's not appropriate to zoom past nearby vessels at full speed. It's the boat driver's responsibility to slow down and proceed with caution. Especially if a nearby boat has a ski tower and dangling rope. That should be immediately obvious to any boat driver to not proceed at full speed.

[@floridagirl386]

⁠​⁠@@mariusfacktor3597that area is not a water sports complex it’s a high traffic area. Yes it is the captains responsibility… the captain that was pulling the skis. It’s such a sad story but I don’t see the man bearing any responsibility. When you bring someone aboard your boat you’re responsible for them & their life

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

You never pull wakeboard, boogie board, and regular skiers in a high traffic area. Especially if there is chop on the water. A boar that size or bigger is not going to see them floating in the water unless they are holding up a ski or board high out of the water. Her being hit by a boat that big sounds no different to the captain than riding choppy water conditions for that day..

[@randallsmerna384]

How TF does a person hit a person but doesn't know it?

[@mairim4578]

Why make a comment without knowing what really happened,if she fell in the water like it was said there was no way to see her,at his age it's going to be hard for him,so sad for her family,it was a tragic accident 😢

[@rea8755]

13 peeps on board?? How irresponsible. Parents don't let your children on vessels without you!

[@floridagirl386]

His age hardly has anything to do with it & his experience makes up for any age argument you have.

[@mairim4578]

@@floridagirl386 ,read my comment again,am talking about how he must feel ,as we age things like that will be in his thoughts,am 81,and a safe and good driver.

[@floridagirl386]

@@mairim4578 I see what you’re saying now. My apologies

[@REVYMERCENARY]

He has a pretty big boat, probably just didn't notice her. Just tragic accident.

[@kd9937]

Wait did this reporter say he ran over some kids wakeboarding? Why were they wakeboarding where that giant boat and other giant boars drive?

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

Ill say as a boater. When someone has fallen in the water or are swimming, they are incredibly hard to see, especially of there are any sort of waves or chop at all.

[@hudsondonnell444]

The problem is with the boat captain who was towing Eli Adler. Don't tow skiers in traffic zones.

[@sailcatthecat972]

A sane comment.

[@tomboy5212]

Did they not have the flag out while she was in the water ?

[@michaelashley2855]

Very doubtful - or it would have been said - notice how little is known about the tow boat operator and passengers

[@ttinnovations3310]

you drive a car or you "drive" a boat, if its intentional or not, still killed someone , say what ever you want

[@dirtworxphotography245]

Complete freak accident in my eyes.

[@user-ly3jr6bm6h]

Sorry for both families.

[@Iazzaboyce]

I have no opinion, because I don't know all the facts, but I don't see how this video proves very much other than he set off at three and returned at four thirty.

[@michaelashley2855]

Stop making sense !

[@dianekay8771]

What a sad story all around. Sending love, light, strength, and prayers to all those that loved this young lady. ❤️❤️

[@a64738]

And no mention at all about the idiot that was towing her in a busy traveled boat channel? Where was the towing boat when she was killed in this accident? If there is anyone to blame for this accident it is the one that had her on tow and not the boat hitting her. It is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to see a floating person in the water with only the head sticking up.

[@leighhamrick]

Terribly, terribly sad. I feel for all involved. It seems to me that this man simply had no idea. I'm sure he's devastated and will think about this for the rest of his life.

[@AnnaAnnieAnneofGreenGables]

So it's okay to drive over people as long as you have no idea that you had done it after?

[@johnwalsh1541]

He had no idea he hit her,,,very understandable, big boat, small human

[@thunderboltpenetrator8498]

Stupid driver ? Whats he looking at??

[@stevemcgowen]

@@thunderboltpenetrator8498you have clearly never driven a boat if you think it’s likely to see someone ahead in the water.

[@aahsimovieprojects]

@@thunderboltpenetrator8498 you're an imbecile and you've clearly not operated a boat of that size. People are booking it at full speed in that channel and you wouldn't be able to see or expect a head bobbing in and out of the water.

[@overkillblackjack2910]

Ok, but how does he not being aware of hitting her by itself remove blame from him?

[@brandonrobertson6327]

​@@overkillblackjack2910In heavy choppy water, the bow of a boat is smacking the water loud and hard. A 115lb person was not even noticable when the boat crushed her skull. Noise levels are constantly high also. Visibility is also poor when you consider the height of the waves and that the boat pulling her left her floating unprotected. The better question is....... First, why was the other operator operating in heavy sea with high traffic? Second, have you ever operated a boat in these conditions? Third, answer the second question before assuming.

[@billwendell6886]

This beginning to look like towboat owned by a politician that the press is protecting.

[@johnasbury3856]

Prayers and condolences to the family of the young lady who was tragically taken.

[@saloFCB1899]

It’s just a terrible, tragic accident. Every time you go outside your home, let alone the ocean, your life is at risk. That’s life

[@harrypersaud9422]

This is a life in South Florida. So sad

[@everydayhero5076]

What a horrible tragedy! Prayers to both families.

[@alizaepstein273]

I honestly feel like this was just a terrible accident. Not everything that happens is nefarious

[@bunberrier]

Did I miss something? I know they took the boat away to look at it. How is it that the story is written as if its a fact it was this guy and his boat? What established that?

[@acmeopinionfactory8018]

That's what the INVESTIGATION is for.

[@bunberrier]

​@@acmeopinionfactory8018 Exactly. So why are they stating as fact this is the boat?

[@acmeopinionfactory8018]

@@bunberrier They're stating as fact that this is the boat that they're interested in. Nothing more.

[@bunberrier]

​@@acmeopinionfactory8018 No. Read the video description.

[@SouthFloridaWoman]

RIP babygirl condolences to her family & friends. ❤

[@FTATF]

Where exactly did the accident occur? As in coordinates?